Sweet potatoes help cardiovascular diseases – Nutritionist

A Nutritionist at Garki Hospital, Yemisi Olowookere, on Wednesday advised Nigerians to include sweet potatoes in their diet because it was good for cardiovascular health.
Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that potato was a rich source of flavonoid anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre that are essential for optimal health.
According to her, the tuber contains no saturated fats or cholesterol and it is a rich source of dietary fibre, anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Olowookere said: “Potatoes are good source of vitamin C.
“It helps ward off cold and flu viruses as well as bone and tooth formation, digestion and blood cell formation.
“It helps accelerate wound healing, produces collagen, which helps maintain skin’s youthful elasticity and is essential to helping us cope with stress.
“It even appears to help protect our body against toxins that may be linked to cancer.”
Olowookere said potatoes also contain vitamin D, which was critical for immune system and overall health at this time of year.
Oloowokere said vitamin D plays an important role in our energy levels, moods and helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin and teeth.
It also supports the thyroid gland.
She said: “Sweet potatoes contain iron.
“Most people are not aware that we need the mineral iron to have adequate energy as iron plays other important roles in our body.
“Sweet potatoes helps in red and white blood cell production, resistance to stress, proper immune functioning and the metabolising of protein, among other things.”
Olowookere said sweet potatoes is a good source of magnesium, which was the relaxation and anti-stress mineral.
She said magnesium was necessary for healthy artery, blood, bone, heart, muscle and nerve function.
Olowookere said potatoes were source of potassium, one of the important electrolytes that help regulate heartbeat and nerve signals.
She said: “Like the other electrolytes, potassium performs many essential functions, some of which include relaxing muscle contractions, reducing swelling, and protecting and controlling the activity of the kidneys.
“Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet-tasting, but their natural sugars are slowly released into the bloodstream, helping to ensure a balanced and regular source of energy.”
Olowookere said it was not just sweet to the taste buds but the value was one of the highest among the root-vegetables categories.